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Successful walk for health and world peace

About 300 people hiked Knox Mountain alongside MLA Norm Letnick
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The dreary weather and cold temperatures didn’t stop almost 300 people from climbing up Knox Mountain, on Saturday.

One Kelowna resident who was certainly happy she made the hike is Twyla Depellegrin, whose name was picked from a number of entries to win two tickets anywhere WestJet flies.

The prize was donated by WestJet to the event -organized by MLA Norm Letnick.

This is the third year the Spring Climb for Health and World Peace has been held as an event to get outside and shake of the long winter with some fresh-air activity.

Letnick says those who attended walked up to the first level of the mountain at the look out for one entry to the WestJet draw, and for those who felt they could take on more of a hike climbed to the second half of the mountain to get two entry draws.

“Last year our winner went to Europe and took picture, of the group that climbed Knox Mountain, which he gave to the mayor of the city he visited. He told the mayor that they should do something similar in their city, so show that people around the world can live together in harmony,” said Letnick.

The event not only is meant for physical activity but also to bring people together from all over the Okanagan and as Letnick says, even the world.

“There are some people here who have never climbed up Knox before and this opens them up to this experience.”

Kelowna firefighters, the BC SPCA, the Okanagan YMCA and BC Tree Fruits gathered at the first look out to welcome hikers, offer assistance, an apple and some water for dogs.

While the weather started out rainy and cold, Letnick was pleased with the turnout and in the end the sun even ended up shining down.

“I hope to have the opportunity no matter what happens in May to continue to do this and let it build, we had 350 people last year and so who knows how many we could get next year 400 or maybe 500,” explained the Kelowna-Lake Country MLA.

Hikers climbed Knox Mountain at their own pace as the event was more about getting out and having fun than racing.

As for Twyla Depellegrin she says she will be taking her family to Disneyland.



Jen Zielinski

About the Author: Jen Zielinski

Graduated from the broadcast journalism program at BCIT. Also holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science and sociology from Thompson Rivers University.
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